Phil G.
Yelp
We did read about Pepita Pulgarcita before our trip and since it was on a great street and 5 minutes from our apartment, we walked in with no expectations, just recognizing the name.
Admittedly, I am not Spanish and hardly an expert in tapas, but I loved this place. A young woman does the front, hustling to serve, pour, wash and mix. A young man is in the minuscule kitchen, expertly cutting, dicing, slicing, frying, and grilling . That's it, two warm and friendly folks running a great tapas bar and restaurant. They treated us very well, speaking English and tolerating our total lack of Spanish. (Shame on us!)
The food tasted marvelous and the wine delicious. My vodka did the trick! The potatoes with egg and ham were beyond tasty. I wanted to grow tentacles after eating my grilled octopus (pulpo) The liver was succulent, but reminded me of my own liver as I downed another Vodka cocktail. (I adore liver-what can I say?) My beef tapas was just "so so," but being American, I'm used to a Flintstone sized New York strip, and that just isn't happening outside the States.
I had a great deal of fun at this packed and hopping Tapas bar and plan to return again during our holiday in Valencia. That is my ultimate and authentic "seal of approval" for Pepita Pulgarcita.